The Hidden Life of Trees: The International Bestseller

Instead, the tree just gets wider (another parallel to many people of advancing years ...). The tree is also not capable of maintaining its mature height for long because its energy levels diminish slowly over the years.

Their mycelium—white underground threads—force their way into the roots of firs, beeches, oaks, and other species of tree.

While they were waiting in the wings, their buds were tough, bitter pills, but now they are sweet, tasty treats—at least as far as the deer are concerned.

because the fungal threads grow into its soft root hairs.

The redirected power of a windstorm can tear at the base of the trunk with a force equivalent to a weight of 220 tons.

As their upward growth slows, their defenses against fungi disappear. One broken-off branch is enough to provide a port of entry.

species—the annual new growth gets shorter and shorter.

More light, more sun, more ultraviolet radiation. The last causes changes in people’s skin, and it appears the same thing happens with trees. Intriguingly, the outer bark on the sunny side of the trees is harder, and this means it is more inflexible and more inclined to crack.

For this is how long it takes for the dead mother’s neighbors to grow their branches out into the gap she left when she fell.